Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 and costs $119.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Flow offers: Up to 30 hours of battery life - roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). Watch for: Not stereo.
What the JBL Charge 4 offers: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. Watch for: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Flow is rated for 30 hours versus 20 hours for the JBL Charge 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Flow | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #50 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc | 330ms |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 25W | 30W RMS |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| TWS | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Flow: $60 Amazon
Pros: Up to 30 hours of battery life - roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). IP67 rated with a loose handle for carrying/hanging. Pairs with a second Flow for stereo; USB-C port charges your phone too.
Cons: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700hz. You need xbass mode for it to not sound like a clock radio with missing bass. You also can’t turn up the bass enough in the custom EQ modes to get it neutral, so it will sound bass light. Firmware 1.2.3 fixes the distortion issues with xbass mode on, but bass still sounds wobbly and uncontrolled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Flow review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 25W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.3 game changing moment in portable bluetooth history!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.5 - stuff gets fixed ✔
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - after firmware update
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - sound demo
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Flow Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Sony XB33
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JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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